This sounds a bit like Britney Spears' "Lucky" - only not as good
The Dixie Chicks have a new album coming out in May, Taking the Long Way. It is their first album since the pre-war unpleasantness. They have released the first single, which addresses that controversy. It's called "Not Ready to Make Nice."…
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— go to most recent comments76 - Stranger
Don't you just love these type of people who feel the need to talk down on everyone?
I doubt I'll ever understand the need for it.
77 - Al Barger
Yes Stranger, I dig how superior you are to all those people talking down on others. It ain't right.
As a gesture of humility then, in line with Vern Halen's admission to Archie fandom. I'll go him one better- a pleasure one step guiltier than the Archies. My current jammobile mix CD features a classic Josie and the Pussycats hit. Imagine me cruising the foggy county roads at midnight singing along with "Every Beat of My Heart."
I take this opportunity to re-assure our reading audience that I am hetero.
In my defense, I'll argue that "Every Beat of My Heart" is a much better piece of pop songwriting than this crappy Dixie Chicks record.
78 - Amanda
Excuse me AL, but it did sound like all your "beefs" were with the Chick's intented purpose. And to call the Chick's whinny is a complete hypocritical statement; your entire criticism sounds whinny. You're one person that doesn't like this song.... but it sounds like there are 100x more people that do. Really your opinion means nothing, and I am sure that the "DIXE" Chicks don't give a shit about what you say.
They are country,and if your such a music buff you'd know that genres evolve and become something new. This is a prime example, the Chicks are reviving country music and making it more appealing to a greater number of people. Good for them, they deserve all the great feedback they are getting from this song. They took a lot of crap from the whole Bush incident, for a lot of nothing. Do you think if it was a man that made that critical statement regarding Bush and the war, it would have played out the same? I sure as hell don't think so.
The Chicks are amazing artists that evolve with the times, stick up for what they believe in, and don't back down. I give them props for that!
79 - Scott Butki
Sounds like a lot of people agree with my comment #2 - that you can't separate yuor opinion of their music with that of their comments.
The key for me was you mentioning - almost bragging - about how you cussed out the singer for her comments.
This is why I would never review an album by, say, John Ashcroft -I could't separate my opinions of him and his mistakes from the music.
80 - Andy Marsh
What was it you said to me Al? Oh yeah...what a schmuck!
My pop says pretty much the same thing about "modern" country music...it ain't country.
81 - Tennessee
Al Barger, your comments say a hell of a lot about you. You talking down to these viewers and the Dixie Chicks is just down right wrong and immature. Everyone has their opinion about everything. When we add our comments to this page, it says, "Personal attacks are NOT allowed". I understand why now, because you do it enough for all of us!!
I don't agree with what the Dixie Chicks said years back, but I am not going to punish them. They received too much hatred for what they did and they deserve to comeback with this song. I don't like what they did, but I do like the music and the words. A mother teaching her daughter to hate a person for something they said and a person sending another person death threats is purely WRONG! And those individuals should receive more punishment than Natalie Maines.
I believe in KARMA and Al, it's going to come back on you and it will come back on all the other people who have threatened and degraded someone they don't even know.
Again, I wasn't pleased when I heard what Natalie said, but I love the song. Freedom of speech is right, if you are in the United States. It wouldn't have bothered me at all if she was here saying it at a concert, but she was in another country. Yet I hope this song and their album goes number 1 and I hope they sell more copies of this album than any other one they released before.
Dixie Chicks, you deserve to release this song since so many people punished you in the past. You didn't have a chance to speak your mind on what happened and this song says what you all are thinking. I respect you for that.
Thank you.
82 - Guppusmaximus
In my opinion, music usually evolves because artists pioneer a new sound. I'm sure Shania Twain could get some credit for the Country/Pop explosion but I do believe The Dixie Chicks just jumped on that bandwagon as opposed to being responsible for bringing country to the masses. Personally, Blake Shelton has enlightned me about decent commercial country...But,it's still all about the "formula" so they can make the bucks. I still think Dolly Parton has a niche in this genre, especially for her age. Anyways, Just because a ton of people like it doesn't mean that it's worthy nor does it mean that it has catapulted it's genre to new heights. Come on, Look at the Boy band wave... I'm sure alot of people would've argued about their musical integrity,LOL!! This release is completely shallow and I would expect something like this to come from the last American Idol winner.
"The Chicks are amazing artists that evolve with the times, stick up for what they believe in, and don't back down. I give them props for that!"
The same could be said for Al Barger and the only reason I would tell Mr. Barger to stop reviewing this trash is that,"any publicity is Good publicity". We don't need crappy bands to keep getting attention...BOYCOTT!!
83 - Al Barger
Scott, re: comment 79- this is just wrong: "you can't separate yuor opinion of their music with that of their comments." Did you not actually READ the review? I'm talking about the tune, the style and the arrangement. Then the last few paragraphs where I was talking about what they said was about what they said in THIS SONG.
Basically, you're saying that no one who has any negative opinions about an artist can be fair in judging their work.
Besides which, I ain't mad at the Chicks. Natalie's dumb comment several years ago was a misdemeanor offense against geometry and theology. I give her a quick cussing at the time, and I was all done with it. But I'm certainly not mad over that little bit of nothing from years ago.
Dear Tennessee, you write "all the other people who have threatened and degraded." You are certainly welcome to have sex with yourself, trying to tar ME in with a couple of idiots making threats. That's exactly the dishonesty in the "Not Ready to Make Nice" song that I'm objecting to.
Also, they do NOT deserve to have a hit with this song. That's not because of some stupid politics from several years ago, but because this song is utterly unworthy.
84 - Tennessee
We will just see, won't we.....
85 - Tennessee
Dishonesty in the song? Ok...... What part are they being dishonest about?? They are saying everything that has happened and how they feel about it!! You sit here and say what you think and say it's ok, but it's not ok for them to express what they are feeling. There is not a damn thing in that song that is a lie. You expect them to just lay back and let dumbass people run over them forever!! If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't and you wouldn't either.
HYPOCRITE!!
They had and still have to have metal detectors to prevent crazies from coming into their concerts!
86 - Scott Butki
Al, I read the review and was one of the first ones to comment on it.
You say you barely mention the controversy but your brag about insulting her is in the second paragraph.
When you insult the band before you get into the music it's harder to accept you are going to give the music a fair shake.
If you'd saved your political opinions until the end that'd be one thing
87 - Al Barger
Monsieur Butki, I did indeed mention cussing the DC in the second paragraph, and got that out of the way in a couple of quick sentences. Now, if you want to simply insist that no one who has expressed any disagreement with the band could possibly give their music a fair listen, that is your priviledge- but you're ignoring the entire rest of the review.
Perhaps YOU cannot separate your musical from your professional or personal judgments, but I pride myself on it. From what I know, I strongly suspect that Prince has very strong tendencies to schmuckness- and that he is one of the greatest songwriters in the rock music tradition. Everything I know suggests that conversely Garth Brooks is one of the nicest fellows around- and I'd just as soon take a beating as to listen to his crappy records.
Tennesse, the dishonesty of you and the Dixie Chicks in this song is to willfully and maliciously falsely paint all critics of the group as not just hateful, but violent. Again, you're helping them lick their shit with the cheesy protestations of victimhood. They still have metal detectors at their concerts? So do a LOT of bands. Do they even really need them though, or is that just another excuse for them to play martyr? In any case, it ain't MY fault, and I reject your and their dishonest attempts at demagoguing their critics.
And more dishonesty from you: I never said anything like that the DC have no right to voice their opinions. It's a dumb, disreputable tactic when DC fans such as yourself keep making variations on that same obvious straw man argument. You know better when you say it.
They can say whatever dumb crap they want. I can say whatever I want about their statements, and of course you are welcome and encouraged to critique me.
I just wish you'd be a little more honest when you do it.
88 - Tennessee
LOLLLL!! Thank you so much Al! I usually hate Mondays because they drag by, but you made mine a whole lot better. I needed some good laughs for today!! You have a blessed day!
89 - Big BadJohn
Bush=32% Approval
Bwahahahaha!
90 - Joe
Al you're a disgrace!
91 - rick miller
well for what it matters to anyone, I LOVE THE CHICKS always have and do even more now. atleast they do not write about getting drunk and having to be someone?
92 - Al Barger
Rick- declarations of love are always in order. Even danged ol' Dixie Chicks need love. Yeah, I guess you could give them a little credit for at least not being redneck women.
93 - Dan
Hail the DChicks. They'll probably milk this anti'Bush crap long past the time they lose artistic usefulness.
It might already be past.
94 - Vern Halen
Most fun thread of the past week - right here.
95 - Al Barger
Why thank you kindly, Vern.
96 - shanna
I think that they are sing something that actually means something to them and that is the most important part. They didn't have the song written for them from someone elses experience. True expression is the whole point. No matter what they say, right or wrong, their lives shouldn't be threatened for it. Them or anyone else for that matter.
97 - Winks81
As for the "not a country song" bull... the Chicks, Maines in particular said that they were "Pretty Much Done" with Country. I cannot say I blame them one bit. With such an a** hole fan base, who could? I personally can't wait for May 23rd. Go DC!
READ it HERE:
98 - JD
What you've said is simply and NOTHING more, YOUR opinion. One of which seems based purely on your love of pure country music, and for your obvious dislike of the girls of the band themselves. You should be able to base your opinion of something, on its own merit, not based on who or where it came from. This song may not be what you're used to, what you expect, or what you think real country music should be. That should be irrelevant, because based on what is heard, it's a good song, that DOES evoke emotion, positive, heartfelt emotion. You said it's whining, the only whining to do with your "review" of this song, is your review itself.
99 - DJ
I attended a Chicks Concert in Philly 3 years ago. Had a great time until it became politcal again with comments from Natalie. I have always enjoyed the Music by the DC but unlike the DC I don't go to work each day and voice my political views. I understand music is about events that have taken place in peoples lives and they send their message through music. So my point. I still enjoy the DC sound but struggle over the messages. I guess I will not be purchasing this album or attending the concert. Although the only song I have a problem with is "Not Ready To Make Nice." Someone once told me that you should never discuss religion or politics among friends. Seems they were right.
100 - Brenda
Dixie Chicks....You go girls! I have listened to the song, and have watched the video several times on CMT. It doesn't matter if they get good ratings for this song or not. The main thing is that the song was written out of honesty and integrity. And I think the video was perfect for what they were wanting to convey. We don't need to sit here trying to *offend* or even *defend*. You have your thoughts and feelings about all this. All I can say is "to each his own". I just hope that we all will live in peace and harmony one day soon!
101 - Brooke Schlosser
I just want to say that I really like this song. I dont care about political bullshit, because anyone can take this song anyway they wanted. I just question why you think you know everything about good music, because personally, I have NEVER heard of you, I just happened to stumble across this f-ed up blog thingie. And I am sure that I dont have to tell you that MANY people have heard of the Dixie Chicks and their music whether it be good or bad. So maybe you should stop being a jerk, and stop trying to make people who really like this song read this, because in our day in age, no one needs this stuff. Music is freedom, and evidently so is America.
102 - Al Barger
Dear Brooke, thank you. That was a fascinating little exercise in rhetoric and "logic."
103 - Richard Marcus
1)This was a review of a new singal by a pseudo country act called the Dixie Chicks.
2)Al doesn't like it because it sucks as country and the lyrics are insiped: his opinions.
Therefor Al is against free spech.
It's logic like that the keeps getting Republicans elected and the left sinking into a quigmire of it's own selfrightouse indignation. If we can't learn to grow up soon we might as well turn all the offices of all the governments around the world over to the right. The way most of us act we will never get it together to do anything intelligent like dealing with the real issues in life.
Finally, it saddens me to see that the legions of the Anti-Hank are growing, where is Iris Derment when we need her. If the Dixie Chicks wanted to write a song of power they should have listened to "Wall Up In Wasington" first.
104 - Moore
It says on here that personal attacks are not allowed on here.
I could care less what you think about anybody personally. You sound like somebody who has a stick shoved up his $#@. Get over yourself and get over thinking that anyone cares what you think. You're probably unemployed with nothing better to do than pick apart everybody but yourself. Before you start putting others down, maybe you should look in the mirror.
Ever since the attacks, now all of a sudden everybody in America is "A proud American?" Where was this pride before September 11th? People are more hypocritical than they claim to be.
Yes soldiers are dying in Iraq, but they didn't have much of a choice being sent over there, now did they? Our President sent them over while he sits in his office in his expensive suits. Do you think he's losing any sleep over another "nameless" soldier who lost his life for his safety and freedom?
Who cares that Natalie Maines made that comment about the President? He's a total moron anyone and everybody knows it. Didn't she say that years ago? Isn't it time people got over that? There are better things to be worrying about than what a professional singer stated on a show years back. She has a right to state that and if you don't want to hear it, ignore it. Be prideful and snotty.
Don't black ball somebody because it'll always come back and blow up in your face. When you make your mistake or do something you feel is right and others disagree whole-heartedly, you may wish that you hadn't been so horrid to this woman when they're lashing and casting you out like you've got a scarlet letter brandished across your chest.
I say--
GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON. THE WAR IS STILL GOING AND BE PRIDEFUL IF YOU WANT BUT REMEMBER THAT MOST OF THESE SOLDIERS DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE TO GO OR NOT SO DON'T ACT LIKE YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE ARE MARTYRS. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE!! Us being at war with them is not going to change these people in the other country. They've been this way for centuries. What can Americans do to change a legacy?
105 - Christopher Rose
Now kids, play nice or I'll have to send in The Cleaners to spoil your passionate debate.
My two céntimos - dull group, good politics.
106 - Al Barger
Moore, your little display in comment 104 achieved an impressively high level of smugness and a towering sense of moral superiority, equaled only by your lack of knowledge or actual thought.
For starters, this statement is simply factually untrue, "Yes soldiers are dying in Iraq, but they didn't have much of a choice being sent over there, now did they?" We have a volunteer army. There's no draft.
And oh, how righteously pained you are over how "horrid" I've been to poor little Natalie. Look, if she doesn't want me to write reviews about how much her records suck, then she should stop putting out sucky records.
Plus, this statement has little relation to reality: "They've been this way for centuries." You pretty much argue that these people are just savages and there's nothing to do for them. In fact, there are numerous cultures involved with rich histories, and it's a lot more complicated than that. Islam certainly has NOT been sending people out to blow up the infidels like this for centuries, or we'd have squished them long ago.
But then again, knowledge of history would be too much to expect from a Dixie Chicks fan. I'd guess that you get your news from Jon Stewart. Am I right?
107 - moore
I can't stand the dixie chicks. I hate country music and I think most of it is terrible anyway. [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor]
108 - luu
your such a brat. get over yourself. Dixie Chicks did something that most of america and even canadians are afraid to do, they said what they really thought. first of all, are you in iraq? are you a musician? yeah shut up.
109 - laney
bush rocks.
110 - amy
Al I don't know who you are ,but I think you have too much time on your hands if your biggest worry in life is if the new DC song is good or not. I personally think it is great as I do their other songs from the past. I have all there albums and will probably buy the new one too. I don't know what it was that got the world so ticked off at the DC,but I do know this much, they are entitled to freedom of speech. There might've been other people out there with the same feelings as Natalie and spoke their minds too,but because they're not famous didn't take any crap for it so do me a favor,grow up and get a life!!
111 - Chelsea Snyder
Come on, Al, leave the teeny boppers alone. Come on, let's go fight over politics and important things. *gentle leads Al out of the room, offering my arm as an incentive*
112 - Al Barger
Miss Chelsea! I'd follow you anywhere, even without a promise of getting to chew on your arm. Still though, I was trying a new recipe for barbecue sauce last week, and I thought of you.
113 - moore
As a matter of fact, I am a professional singer who has toured the US for years. I don't like country music but I agreed with Natalie about her comment toward Bush. I would have said the same thing if I came from Texas. He's a moron, simple as that. He's ruining this country. He's taking away women's rights and trying to convert everyone's beliefs into his own. Why don't you shut up because you just made yourself look stupid. You don't even know who I really am. For all you know, I could be an A-list celebrity that you like and you just kicked yourself in the ass for being an idiot.
114 - Cheryl
I actually like this song. I think she's a wonderful singer and it was great to know they'd finally released a new song!
115 - Peter
This song and/or video will win many top awards...and the album will sell millions. Criticism is easy...measurable success is not.
116 - robin
Just watch when their cd comes out this month, and how many copies are going to be sold. And see then that no one gives a crap about what you have to say.
117 - Amberly
Who are any of you to judge?
118 - DC/TK Fan
Peter,
Not sure this will win many 'awards'....remember Toby Keith..."How do you like me now" Country music isn't very giving to those who buck the system.
He never got any respect b/c he marches to his own drum!!! He could give a rip less what people think......and so could the Dixie Chicks!!!
I think it is fantastic that The Chicks have come back into the limelight. I can hardly stand the wait til May 23rd.....and I could hardly wait for Toby Keith's last CD release either.
I bet there is a bunch of fans who love TK and The DC and could care less about their political views! Can I get a AMEN? :)
I listen to the words of anyones lyrics and find my own way to relate to it. Doesn't matter what sparked the idea to write it!! If song writers had to explain where the lyrics came from, I bet cha' a lot less music would be appreciated!
Besides opinions are like a--holes, we all got one! Who cares anyway.....
119 - Me
This is the worst review I have ever read.
120 - Andrew Anderson
Honestly...this has to be one of the worst reviews I've ever read in my life. You're pathetic.
121 - Bruce
I'll say it.. I would rather run my tongue over a cheese grater then listen to Natalie's whining voice... to say I dislike the Dixie Chicks is an understatement... but this song speaks to me... Not Ready to Make Nice is lyrically well written and the hook is well phrased by Natalie... I say well done DC... you made someone who can't stand your music pay .99 on iTunes.. well not yet... it's not available yet... but I'll pay for it when it's available -- I'm not buying the album tho... I'm not THAT won over...
122 - cathy
I can not believe someone could compare the Chicks (talented musicians) to B. Spears (the fake)
123 - Al Barger
Miss Cathy, I have to say that Britney Spears makes more interesting records to my ears. She's got sharper hooks, and a better execution- whether you want to credit that to her or to her producers.
As regards the Dixie Chicks, I'd rather have Britney Spears genuine synthetic pop than the Dixie Chicks fake corporate country music.
124 - Nicole
Al, Have you ever heard of evolution? Listen to the first rock 'n roll music from the 50's and compare it to today's rock 'n roll. Same with country, blues and jazz. All music genres evolve for many reasons. Reasons such as politics, freedom of speech and also to meet the demands of the listeners. The so called "commercialized music" you refer to is a just a fake term people like you make up for music that you don't enjoy or appreciate.
Further more, your own stupidity shows through when you compare a song like "Not Ready to Make Nice" that of Britney Spears, who's songs she doesn't even write herself and don't show any emotion or feeling.
125 - nashville
I have read every single comment and the majority like the song and very few agree with Al. Most everyone that has said something against Al bring out very good strong points. Al likes to stir up this controversy. He knows how to work this site, like Omarosa on the Apprentice. She knew what to say and do to get attention. Good or bad, it got attention and this is what Al is doing.